DHB elections

In 2019 voting takes place to elect members to district health boards (DHBs), the governing bodies responsible for overseeing the delivery of health and disability services in their districts. DHB elections are part of the local authority elections held in October 2019.

Why should I stand?

DHB boards have a critical leadership role in our health system and they play a crucial role in the health sector’s work to improve the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders.

They are accountable to the Minister of Health for their performance in planning, funding and delivery of health services to their communities.

Being a DHB board member is an opportunity to contribute to your community and make your voice heard.

What experience do I need?

DHB boards need committed people with a wide range of skills, backgrounds and experiences. Most importantly, DHB boards need people who have a strong understanding of their communities.

Generic skills for a board member will usually include:

a wide perspective on social, health and strategic issues,

integrity and a strong sense of ethics,

financial literacy and critical appraisal skills,

strong reasoning skills and an ability to actively engage with others in making decisions,

knowledge of a board member’s responsibilities, including an ability to distinguish governance from management.

Who can stand?

In general, anyone who is a New Zealand citizen and is on the parliamentary electoral roll can stand for election as a DHB board member.

You do not have to live in the DHB’s district to stand for election to its board, but you can’t stand for election in more than one DHB.

DHB employees who meet the eligibility criteria are also able to stand for election.

Key dates

19 July 2019

Nominations open

16 August 2019

Nominations close (12 noon)

21 August 2019

Election date and candidates’ names publicised by electoral officers

20-25 September 2019

Voting documents are issued

12 October 2019

Election day - the end of the voting period

October - November 2019

Minister appoints up to four other members per board

9 December 2019

All newly appointed and elected board members take office

The voting system

The DHB election uses the Single Transferable Voting (STV) system where voters rank their preferred candidates in order of preference – ie, 1 for the candidate they most prefer, 2 for their next preferred candidate and so on.

They can rank as many or as few of the candidates on the voting paper as they wish. For your vote to count, there should be only one candidate with the figure 1 beside their name.

Up to four other members may be appointed by the Minister of Health to fill any potential gaps in the expertise needed for the DHB to best achieve its functions and objectives.

This process takes place after election day and in time for the appointed members to take office, at the same time as newly elected Board members, on 9 December 2019.

More information

More detailed information for board candidates is available in the following publications: